Uterine fibroid symptoms

Painful and prolonged menstrual periods

This is one of the most common symptoms. The bleeding, which may include clots, can be heavy enough que empapa la compresa de sangre, incluso con coágulos, en menos de una hora. Por ello, la mujer no puede salir de casa durante los primeros días de menstruación. to soak through a sanitary pad in less than an hour. A woman may not therefore be able to leave the house during the first few days of her period. Some women develop anaemia, which in turn can cause fatigue, headaches and dizziness.

Pressure or discomfort in the pelvic area

Women with large fibroids may feel heaviness or pressure in their lower abdomen and pelvis. Sometimes the enlarged uterus makes it difficult to lie face down, bend over or do exercise.

Bladder problems

Uterine fibroids can cause pressure on the bladder. The most common symptom is the to urinate frequently, with some women waking several times during the night. Sometimes however the opposite occurs, with an inability to urinate, despite the bladder being full.

Pelvic pain

This is one of the less common, symptoms of uterine fibroids, and it occurs when the fibroid goes through a process called degeneration. It causes severe pain that is usually localized to a specific spot and improves on its own within two to four weeks. Chronic pelvic pain may also occur, which is mild but persistent.

Low-back pain

If a large fibroid is located on the back surface of the uterus, it may press against the muscles and nerves causing back pain

Pressure on the rectum

If the fibroids press against the rectum, they can cause the rectum to feel full and make it difficult or painful to move the bowels. They can also lead to the development of haemorrhoids.

Discomfort or pain with sexual intercourse

Fibroids can make sexual intercourse painful or uncomfortable. The pain may occur only in certain positions or at specific times of the menstrual cycle.

Increase in the volume of the abdomen

Fibroids may enlarge the size of the uterus, causing this symptom that may be mistaken for weight gain or pregnancy.

Difficulty in becoming pregnant and miscarriages

Depending on the position and size of the fibroids, they can interfere with fertility and cause recurrent miscarriages.

How are they diagnosed?

The most common method for diagnosing uterine myomas (fibroids) is ultrasound , through the vagina or from the outside, through the abdominal wall. This allows thenumber, size and location to be determined.

Currently, the Pelvic MRI with Contrast is considered as the best way to assess the fibroids, since it allows the type of blood supply and the relationship with the uterine cavity to be evaluated.

It also allows other diseases affecting the uterus such as adenomyosis to be ruled out.